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"How nice to get the bonus for referring my neighbor.  I'm always glad to brag on you.  Great service and really nice people to work with." Lynne H. of Norman

Your landscape is more than just some eye-candy for your neighbors to envy - quite the contrary, a good landscape can serve a variety of purposes that range from functional to entertaining to keep every member in your house happy. If you’re trying to figure out how to make your landscape family-friendly, here’s some ideas to get you going:

Room To Run

Outdoor play space isn’t limited to those old metal swing sets anymore. In addition to the commercially-designed playhouses and climbing gyms, you could also add a tree house, a “secret” fort and even an old-fashioned sand box. Also remember that kids love to run so a simple open space complete with balls, bats and similar outdoor toys can often be all you need.

Family Time

Giving your family a place to gather outdoor is a great idea and there’s several ways to do it. Decks and patios work great in this respect but you might also want to consider a pergola in the center of the yard atop a paving stone floor. Make sure there’s plenty of seating, especially if you’re going to entertain and include favorite shade-loving plants for a splash of color.

Personal Space

You can create a unique and attractive walkway from homemade stepping stones customized with personal mementos. Simply build your mold, pour in the concrete and then start adding those one-of-a-kind accents after the concrete begins to cure. Things you can add? Handprints, footprints, seashells and colorful pebbles give stepping stones some eye-catching color. You can also have your kids write their names or draw a picture of something like a butterfly or airplane.

Your Creative Corner

If the handyman of the house has trouble finding a place to work, perhaps its time to build him one.  A simple work shed can be easily customized with cork boards and shelves for convenient storage and an ample workspace will ensure that all those tools stay inside the shed instead of scattered around on the porch and in the garage.

Fresh From The Garden

Gardens aren’t just for grownups. Quite the contrary, gardening is an easy and fun way to get your kids involved in outdoor activities. One idea is to create a garden that is just for the kids, complete with favorite fruits and vegetables as well as some well-placed flowers to attract birds and butterflies. In fact, depending upon your available space, there’s no rule that says you can’t have more than one garden so don’t hesitate to mix-it up so that everyone gets to plant their favorites. Tulips, pansies, violas and daffodils are great choices for spring and if you have big shady areas, try planting some bleeding heart.

Dining “Out”

Speaking of entertaining, if you plan to do any you might want to consider an outdoor “kitchen” to house your grill and cooking gear. The latest trend in landscaping is to bring the indoors “out” by creating outdoor rooms and the kitchen is a popular way to do that. Your outdoor kitchen can have running water, storage and of course seating in addition to the grill and plenty of counter space to prepare your meals.

A Little Quiet Time

Imagine finishing off your busy day at the office by relaxing and unwinding in your own private backyard retreat. Its not as difficult as you think. You can create a secluded spot with trees, tall plants and even some fencing. Add a few comfy lounge chairs and a trickling fountain and you’ve got yourself a “zenful” haven. This is also a great place for some aromatherapy so plant some fragrant blooms to appease all your senses.

Super bargains are available right now on a lot of things that might be on your want list. But before making a big purchase, you should consider whether the item will make you happy for months and years ahead.

Psychologists at Harvard say our greatest sources of happiness are our relationships with friends and family. Any significant purchase should take that into consideration.

Home prices make buying a first home or upgrading to a larger place a qualifying choice. Be sure not to buy one in an upscale neighborhood for the sake of prestige. Think about travel time to work and how the location could decrease family time if it's too far away from work or schools. The price should not stress your budget, which could increase stress for all.

Remodeling can be a good choice if it will have a positive effect on you and your family. A deck, for example, would create a gathering place for you, your family and friends. It could be a better choice than granite countertops.

A new car creates excitement and could be recommended if your present car needs frequent repairs. During these times, however, it might not be best to buy a luxury car. Spend less and put more money into your savings or retirement plan.

TV and appliances are on sale. The biggest price drop has been with plasma television sets, 17 percent on average, according to market researcher NPD group. If you can buy for cash, you and your family could solve your big-screen envy problem and enjoy watching TV specials and sports events together.

  Q.    I’m thinking about a small container garden on my patio. What vegetables would do well?

  A.    Fortunately, there are plenty of edibles that do well in containers so you should have no trouble finding several to suit your needs.

  Spinach, beans and peppers - both bell and jalapeno - are great choices for container gardens as are broccoli, beets, cabbage and carrots.

          Tomatoes grow really well in any container that’s at least 6 inches deep, however remember the bigger the pot, the bigger your plant (and its fruits) will be. In addition, any viney plant should have some sort of “stake” or cage to help support the weight of the branches. Different vegetables have different growth requirements so be sure to read the instructions on the back of your seed packet. Corn for example does better if sown directly into the soil while tomato plants do well when transplanted from a smaller pot. And don’t forget your herbs! They do wonderfully in containers!